Godward, Christ-centered Looking

An integral part of a healthy walk with Christ stems from what we choose to focus on in life. The Christian life is a supernatural life that is lived in the natural realm. When the apostle Paul was writing to the church at Corinth about being at home in the body, but absent from The Lord, he declared that as long as we are in these mortal bodies, we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5.7). Isn’t it interesting that the verses that precede and follow this verse regarding walking by faith and not by sight is the word “confident”?

Just prior to speaking about walking by faith and not by sight, Paul tells us that he did not look at the things that were seen, but at the things that were unseen (2 Cor 4.18). I understand the things that are seen to be referring to his outward, physical circumstances. And the circumstances that he was referring to were quite daunting (cp. 2 Cor 6.3-10; 11.23-28). Paul could endure such adversities because he was not looking at things that could be seen. I believe that Moses had the very same perspective when the writer to Hebrews tells us that by faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible. One can only see Him Who is invisible with the eye of faith. And one can only receive that gift of faith by the grace of God, through faith in The Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 11.5,6).

What we are talking about here beloved is the need for us to cultivate a Godward and heavenly perspective in life. We must repeatedly preach to ourselves the truth that as Christians, we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Heb 11.13). Our citizenship is in heaven, from where also we look for The Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 3.20). While we are absent from The Lord, we need to diligently determine to set out affection on things above, not on things of the earth (Col 3.2). This doesn’t mean that we “check out” of society and move to some cave where we have no contact with the outside world. On the contrary, we are taught in Scripture to display our faith in Christ with hard working, God glorifying work ethics (Eph 6.5-9). Proverbs repeatedly warns us against laziness (Prov 24.30-34) in order that we may provide for our families (1 Tim 5.8) and be a good witness (2 Thess 3.6-15). However, it is only by keeping a Godward focus in doing these daily things that we prevent being trapped by the thorns of this fallen world’s fleeting pleasure and snares (Luke 8.14).

May you have a Godward, Christ-centered perspective as your day unfolds today, beloved.